Automated condiment dispensing system with precisely controlled dispensed quantities
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional food service equipment in fast-food restaurants lacks the ability to automatically and precisely dispense condiments in controlled quantities and combinations according to customer orders, affecting preparation speed and accuracy.
Innovation Solution
An automated condiment dispensing system featuring a hopper mechanism with a rotary auger conveyor, a vertically oriented condiment chamber, and a programmable logic controller (PLC) for precise control, allowing multiple condiment dispensing stations to be integrated into a food preparation line for accurate and efficient condiment dispensing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual condiment dispensing is used by food preparation personnel, then flexibility in handling different food items is maintained, but preparation speed decreases and dispensing accuracy varies
Solution Approach 1:
The condiment dispensing system is self-regulating through the weight-sensitive gate mechanism that automatically controls condiment flow based on predetermined weight thresholds, eliminating the need for manual intervention and enabling high-speed automated operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical dispensing with an automated electronic control system that uses weight sensors and programmable logic to precisely control condiment distribution, thereby increasing preparation speed while maintaining accuracy
2Manufacturing precision
If manual condiment application is used, then equipment simplicity is maintained, but dispensing accuracy and consistency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The weight-sensitive gate provides continuous feedback on the amount of condiment dispensed, automatically adjusting the dispensing process to maintain precise control and consistency without requiring complex external monitoring systems
Solution Approach 2:
The weight-sensitive gate acts as an intermediary mechanism between the condiment supply and the food item, mediating the dispensing process to ensure accurate and consistent portion control through automatic weight-based regulation
3Productivity
If multiple condiments are dispensed manually, then customization according to customer orders is possible, but preparation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dispensing system is designed with multiple condiment hoppers and a unified control mechanism that can handle various condiment types through the same weight-sensitive gate technology, enabling efficient multi-condiment dispensing with a single automated system
Solution Approach 2:
The system is pre-programmed with customer order specifications and predetermined condiment combinations, allowing it to automatically sequence multiple condiment dispensing operations without requiring real-time manual decision-making, thereby maintaining high preparation speed
4Measurement precision
If precise condiment quantities are dispensed automatically, then consistency and accuracy improve, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The weight-sensitive gate provides continuous feedback on the amount of condiment dispensed, automatically adjusting the dispensing process to maintain precise control and consistency without requiring complex external monitoring systems
Solution Approach 2:
The system achieves precise quantity control by dynamically adjusting the weight parameter through the weight-sensitive gate mechanism, which automatically modulates the dispensing rate based on real-time weight measurements to ensure accurate portion sizes
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the speedy and accurate preparation of food items by automatically dispensing precise quantities of condiments, including combinations, directly to food items as they are conveyed through the system, enhancing operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.
Implementation Method 1
the load cell determines that the proper amount of condiment is disposed within the condiment chamber
Implementation Method 2
a condiment conveyor which may be, for example, a rotary auger, is rotatably disposed within the hopper
Data Source
AI summary
An automated condiment dispensing system for dispensing predetermined amounts of condiments such as are commonly utilized in connection with the preparation of food sandwiches or other food menu items, particularly within fast food restaurants, whereby a particular condiment, or a combination of condiments, can be automatically dispensed onto a food sandwich or food item transported to a particular condiment dispensing station at which the particular condiment dispensing system is located and from which the particular condiment is to be dispensed. Multiple different condiment dispensing stations can be employed so as to dispense different condiments in accordance with a patron's food item order, and the entire dispensing system is automatically controlled by a programmable logic controller (PLC).